New Delhi, Sept 2026 : The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has reportedly approached the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), seeking a neutral venue for Pakistan’s matches in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, days after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the Pakistan hockey team would travel to India for the tournament.
The tournament is scheduled to be held from October 27 to November 5, with matches planned in Jalandhar and Mohali. Hosts India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and Korea are expected to participate in the continental competition.
According to reports, the PHF has requested the AHF to shift Pakistan’s matches from Mohali to a neutral venue. The federation has cited the need to ensure the team’s uninterrupted participation and provide a safe and conducive environment for its players and officials.
PHF President Mohiuddin Ahmed Wani said the federation was prepared to play against all International Hockey Federation (FIH) member countries, including India. He maintained that the PHF remained committed to the principle of keeping sport separate from political considerations.
“We are ready to play against all FIH member countries, including India,” Wani said in a statement.
Pakistan-based Geo TV reported that the PHF chief expressed hope that the AHF would positively consider the request for a neutral venue. The proposal, according to the report, is intended to facilitate Pakistan’s full participation in the tournament without interruption.
The latest development comes only two days after Wani had said that Pakistan’s participation in the tournament would depend on clearance from the country’s government.
“The visit of the Pakistan team will depend on government clearance. We will do whatever the government asks us to do,” he had said.
The contrasting developments come against the backdrop of strained political relations between India and Pakistan, which have affected sporting exchanges between the two countries in recent years.
In cricket, teams from the two countries have increasingly played their matches at neutral venues. During the 2025 Asia Cup, the Indian men’s cricket team did not travel to Pakistan and played its matches in the United Arab Emirates. The International Cricket Council subsequently worked towards arrangements involving neutral venues for events hosted by either country.
Similar arrangements were seen in women’s and men’s cricket. The Pakistan women’s team did not travel to India for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup and played its matches in Sri Lanka, which was a co-host. Pakistan’s men’s team also played its matches in Sri Lanka during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India instead of travelling to India.
The PHF’s latest request would represent a similar approach in hockey if accepted by the Asian Hockey Federation. However, hockey tournaments traditionally do not operate under a fixed neutral-venue system comparable to that used in international cricket.
The Asian Champions Trophy fixtures and venue arrangements will ultimately depend on the decision of the continental governing body and the relevant authorities. For now, Pakistan’s participation remains subject to its government’s clearance as well as the outcome of the PHF’s request to the AHF.
